Management of Economic Agricultural Product Data (Crops, Fisheries, Livestock) by Agencies under the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives in Nakhon Nayok Province

Abstract

This research aimed to: 1) study the management of economic agricultural
commodity data (crops, fisheries, and livestock) by agencies under the Ministry of
Agriculture and Cooperatives in Nakhon Nayok Province, and 2) study the development of
agricultural commodity data management (crops, fisheries, livestock) by agencies under the
Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives in Nakhon Nayok Province. This is a qualitative
research study. Key informants consisted of nine personnel from the Provincial Agricultural
Office, Provincial Fisheries Office, and Provincial Livestock Office in Nakhon Nayok Province,
including heads of government agencies and officers responsible for agricultural data
management. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and document
review forms. The collected data were categorized, analyzed, compared, and synthesized
to identify relationships and formulate data management approaches.
The findings revealed that the management of economic agricultural commodity data
was characterized by fragmented data storage across agencies. Most data were maintained
in document-based formats or basic digital files, such as Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Word,
without a centralized database system capable of integrating information among agencies.
As a result, the utilization of data for planning and decision-making was inefficient. In
addition, personnel possessed only basic knowledge of data management and lacked
expertise in advanced database systems and information technology. Capacity-building
programs were limited and discontinuous, while shortages of information technology
specialists further constrained effective data management.
Regarding the development of economic agricultural commodity data management,
the study found that data integration among agencies should be enhanced through the
establishment of a centralized database system and online platforms capable of
systematically linking information. The adoption of modern information technology should
be promoted, together with improvements in technological infrastructure and adequate
budget support. Furthermore, a provincial centralized agricultural data center should be
established to facilitate data sharing among relevant agencies. Continuous professional
development programs in data management and information technology should also be
implemented to strengthen personnel competencies. These measures would improve the
efficiency of agricultural data management and support evidence-based policy and
decision-making processes.